Metal night brings the excitement to 13th Rock the Desert

Published 5:41 am, Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Rock the Desert officials plan to amp up the volume this year at “Don’t Stop Believin’” with the invasion of heavy metal musicians and high-energy performances from motocross and skating stunt acts.

Musical acts from touring group the Whosoevers will host a “Whosoever Takeover” during the festival’s opening day Thursday, Aug. 2. The group was founded in 2008 and includes P.O.D., Demon Hunter, Love and Death, Lacey of Flyleaf, Dominic Balli, Icon for Hire, Ryan Ries and Oh, Sleeper. The popular metal music acts came together with the Christian-based intention to give hope to those who have dealt with addictive or self-destructive behaviors, and draws their name from Bible verse John 3:16.

The Whosoevers also include motocross aerialist Ronnie Faisst, who will perform at Rock the Desert with fellow members of motocross stunt group Metal Mulisha in tow. The group’s involvement in freestyle competitions like the X Games since the late 1990s has helped spread the band’s message to a growing audience around the world.

Metal Mulisha will demo skills throughout the day alongside the Circa Skate Team, a group of skateboarding professionals that was founded in 1999. Both groups will start performing at 3 p.m. today, Aug. 2.

Rock the Desert attendees will have the opportunity this year to skate with the professional athletes from the Circa Skate Team. All participants will be required to sign a waiver and must wear a helmet. A parent or guardian’s signature is required for participants under the age of 18, and the form must be notarized beforehand if the parent or guardian will not be present at the festival. Waivers can be downloaded from the Rock the Desert website at www.rockthedesert.com.

Tickets for the Rock the Desert Festival can be purchased at local Mardel’s and Chick-Fil-A establishments, online at www.rockthedesert.com, or by phone at 563-3434. Tickets are for all three days of the festival and cost $25 in advance or $30 at the gate.